Sean Daly

A History of Geology and Mining Since the 1500's.

From the Erzgebirge to Potosi:

Discover a journey across centuries of geological and mining innovations and uncover the history that shaped civilizations. This short book shows how mining and geology depended on constant innovations from the 1500's rich silver mines of the German Erzgebirge Mts and the also very rich silver mine of Potosi in Bolivia and modern mines like the Highland Valley Copper mine in BC, Canada. From hauling groundwater from underground by hand winch to utilizing surface water power to activate pumps and using explosives to replace fire-setting, the innovations are never-ending.
The history of mining and geology and their close relationship to society is exemplified by the Industrial Revolution in the UK. This revolution was fired by the mining of prodigious amounts of coal. The coal mining and hauling gave rise to famous geologists like William 'Strata' Smith. This book also reviews the famous treatise on mining De Re Metallica of Georgius Agricola written in the 1500's.

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Sorrow & Joy-Musings on Mining, Family, Latin America and Society

Joy & Sorrow:

Most of these poems are from the direct experience of the author, be it working at a mine or in mineral exploration, mostly in Canada but also in Latin America, or with my family and including both sorrow and joy with the short life of my son, or philosophizing about life, or talking about people's heroes like David Thompson.

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About The Author

Sean Daly is the son of a well-known BC (British Columbia, Canada) salmon fisherman and he learned his respect for the environment from his Dad and also his love of history and politics. Strong interest in an old mine near his coastal hometown of Pender Harbour led him to university studies in geology and mining engineering. The study of mineral deposits led him to travel extensively in Latinamerica and visit famous mines like Potosi in Bolivia and Chuquicamata in Chile.

Discovery and change beneath the surface of our world.

This book offers an insightful journey through the evolution of mining and geology, tracing their intertwined development from the Renaissance to the modern era. It connects the scientific brilliance of pioneers like Georgius Agricola with the social, environmental, and technological transformations that followed. Readers are taken from the silver veins of Germany’s Erzgebirge Mountains to the legendary mines of Bolivia, uncovering the profound relationship between earth sciences and human progress.

About The Book

From the Erzgebirge to Potosi:

A History of Geology and Mining Since the 1500's

This book traces the history of mining and geology from the 1500's in the valuable silver mines of the Erzgebirge Mts of eastern Germany to the rich silver mines of Bolivia, including Potosi. With emphasis on the famous first mining geologist/engineer, Georgius Agricola who wrote his treatise on mining and smelting techniques, De Re Metallica, during the Renaissance and the contributions of some well-known geologists whose theories proliferated during the Industrial Revolution, the close connection between society and the natural sciences is examined. A major section on the engineering application of mapping at a large Canadian open pit mine demonstrates modern geological and geotechnical thinking.

Joy & Sorrow:

Sorrow & Joy-Musings on Mining, Family, Latin America and Society

Most of these poems are from the direct experience of the author, be it working at a mine or in mineral exploration, mostly in Canada but also in Latin America, or with my family and including both sorrow and joy with the short life of my son, or philosophizing about life, or talking about people's heroes like David Thompson.